Bad Breath Busters: NJ Top Dentist Helps Patients Breathe Easy

OCEAN, N.J. - July 10, 2013 - PRLog -- While dragons breathing fire is pretty cool, no one wants to be the human version of that, breathing such a potent smell that it acts like an inferno, keeping others at a distance. Halitosis is the fancy name for bad breath, but there’s nothing fancy about unpleasant odors emanating from your mouth — or the health problems that can be associated with them, according to Alan G. Stern, DDS, a top preventive, restorative, cosmetic dentist with a practice in Ocean Township, New Jersey, who adds that "mouth odor can also indicate diabetes, gastric issues, or other medical problems, including illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia."

Dr. Stern cites food as another top culprit. "When stuck between your teeth, food can lead to unpleasant odors (particularly if it’s strong-smelling to begin with, like onions or garlic). And it’s not until you’ve completely digested a particular food that it stops affecting your breath," says Dr. Stern.

Dr. Stern also names tobacco, certain medications, morning breath and dry mouth as the other main causes.

So, how can you keep your breath sweet-smelling all day?

According to Dr. Stern, "The best way is to brush and floss regularly. Keeping your teeth clean keeps gum disease at bay, clears out all those lingering food particles and is your best weapon against bad breath caused by oral bacteria. Remember to brush your tongue as well, or use a tongue scraper. A note of caution: When brushing or scraping the tongue, be gentle. Excessive scraping can harm taste buds over a long time."

His other tips include drinking water to avoid dry mouth and using mints or gum with xylitol, an artificial sweetener that attacks oral bacteria.

Dr. Stern recommends using natural mouth rinses but cautions that the ones containing alcohol should be used in moderation as alcohol in excess can be carcinogenic, especially when combined with cigarette smoke.

His biggest piece of advice: "See your dentist for regular checkups. If you’re developing gum disease, we can treat it, which will improve your breath—and you overall health, especially if something is brewing. We can help you figure out the cause of your halitosis and guide you in the right direction toward a solution."

For more information, call 732.493.8030 or go to www.alansterndds.com.